The Strength of Weak Ties
약한 유대의 힘
A social network theory proposing that infrequent, weak acquaintances bridge distinct social circles and provide access to novel information and job opportunities far better than close, redundant strong ties.
| Field | Sociology · Economics |
|---|---|
| Level of analysis | Meso · Groups & Organizations |
| Paradigm | Network Approach |
| Key figures | 👤 Mark Granovetter (마크 그라노베터) |
| Year | 1973 |
Key Claims
Granovetter demonstrated that while strong ties (close friends and family) form dense, insular cliques that share redundant information, weak ties (casual acquaintances) serve as crucial local bridges connecting disparate network clusters. His empirical study on job seekers revealed that professional workers overwhelmingly found opportunities through weak ties, establishing a foundational paradigm for modern network analysis.
Further Reading
- Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360–1380.
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